Targeted surface disinfection system with pulsed uv light

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a targeted surface disinfection system are disclosed. The system includes a set of one or more UV lamps, a high voltage power supply for driving the lamps, a mobile carriage including a chassis supporting the set, an articulated head assembly including at least one UV lamp from the set, a vacuum pump, and a suction hose extending between the vacuum pump and the head assembly for dissipating heat generated by the at least one UV lamp. The system also includes a pulse configuration control unit for configuring an output of the high voltage power supply for driving the set to emit a UV radiant energy upon a target surface requiring disinfection, where the set of one or more UV lamps emits the UV radiant energy at a rate of at least 20 pulses per second.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of the pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15,095/212 filed on Apr. 11, 2016, whichclaims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62146299, filed on Apr. 12, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods fordisinfection and decontamination of surfaces and, in particular, tosystems and methods which employ pulses of Ultra Violet (UV) light forsurface disinfection and decontamination.

2. Antecedents of the Invention

UV radiation has been employed for disinfection and decontamination ofsurfaces, air, and liquids. It is considered to be one of the bestnon-contact decontamination processes. The UV-C region of the UVspectrum has been found to be the most lethal to microorganisms; thestrongest germicidal effects have been reported to be in the wave-lengthfrom 200 nm to 280 nm. This part of the spectrum has been found lethalto several ranges of microorganisms.

Traditionally, UV radiation for disinfection employed medium pressuremercury vapor lamps to generate UV radiation. In recent decades, pulsedxenon lamps have been found to be much more effective than other UVlight emitting technology.

There are several reasons which play a critical role in the efficacy ofpulsed xenon UV radiation used for disinfection. One is the broadbandspectrum of UV discharge in xenon lamps.

Another reason is that pulsed xenon UV systems have the capability ofdischarging several megawatts of UV energy in micro-seconds ormilliseconds, causing irreversible changes in the cellular level in themicroorganisms exposed.

Pulsed xenon UV light technology was first developed in Japan. In 1984Hiramoto patented pulsed UV light technology for sterilizationapplications. Since then it has been employed for various applicationsinvolving disinfection and decontamination.

The spectral output of a UV xenon lamp is very similar to that ofsunlight. It goes from 180 nm to 1100 nm, with some major spikes invisible region of the spectrum. The xenon UV discharge lamp can bedesigned in different geometries to best fit the application. That makesthe pulsed UV system very flexible. The system can be tailored to bestfit the application in terms of energy requirement.

The energy dissipated can be controlled in terms of number of pulses,energy per pulse, and pulse width. Since the xenon UV flash tubedischarges in pulses, the existing systems are not a good fit forapplications involving fast moving targets.

Characteristics of Pulsed UV Light Relevant to Disinfection

Pulsed light energy is typically measured in fluence and is related tofluence rate. Fluence rate is the total radiant energy falling on asmall transparent sphere containing a target from all possibledirections, divided by a cross section of the target. It is generallyexpressed in W/m².

Fluence can be defined as the product of fluence rate, exposure time inseconds and a total amount of energy incident on the target during theexposure time. It is expressed in J/m² or J/cm².

F=e*t*f

Where F is the fluence (J/cm²), “e” is the energy per pulse(J/cm²/pulse), “t” is the time in seconds, and “f” is the frequency.

A well-known general rule in photochemistry, the Bunsen-Roscoereciprocity law, states that the extent of photochemical effects onliving beings is determined by cumulative irradiance. Accordingly, fordisinfection applications, the current methods and apparatuses usingpulsed UV light technology tend to employ high UV energy per pulse, andrelatively low frequencies of 1-2 pulses per second.

Typical prior art systems employing pulsed xenon UV lamps fordisinfection are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,093,258, 8,872,669 and9,165,756 as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2013-0330235. These systems suffered from various shortcomings, however.

They employed a lower pulse frequency (typically below 2 Hz), thereforetook longer time to inactivate germs. They employed a high dischargeenergy per pulse (typically more than 500 joules), therefore thegenerated noise level was high (manifested as loud popping sounds)causing disturbance around the treated area. The high energy ofdischarge also generated an unsafe amount of ozone, which had to beremoved by specialized fans and filters, contributing to additionalcost, complexity, and noise. They employed a 360-degree, all aroundflashing UV light geometry for entire room disinfection, thereby wastingenergy if only certain limited surfaces were in need of treatment. Tocompensate for the wasted energy, they required a longer operating timein each room, hence, a relatively high overall energy consumption. Dueto their high level of ozone generation, they required additionalfiltration and power consuming auxiliary components such as blowermotors, etc., which resulted in higher energy consumption per unit time.They employed optical filters (to filter out the visible light producedby the lamps), which did not fully eliminate visible pulsating lightwhile decreasing the UV capability of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention responds to an unmet need for systems and methodsthat do not suffer from the shortcomings of the antecedents referencedabove. Embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems andmethods which enable targeted surface decontamination and roomdisinfection capabilities, operate rapidly, focus more effectively onlyon targeted contaminated surfaces, and are more energy efficient. Oneembodiment of the present invention includes a mobile pulsed xenon UVdisinfection unit including an articulated lamp or head assemblycarrying a UV lamp, an additional lamp assembly including a second UVlamp, a detachable lamp assembly, a third UV lamp, and one or moreremovable lamps, and a set of corresponding parabolic reflectors. Thepulsed xenon UV disinfection unit further includes a high voltage powersupply and a pulse configuration control unit, which may be mounted in achassis.

The chassis may be seated on a robotic mobile carriage or platform andhoused within a cabinet. Embodiments may include the pulse configurationcontrol unit being programmed to drive a set of the xenon UV lamp, thesecond UV lamp, the third UV lamp, and/or the one or more removablelamps to emit UV pulses having a predetermined energy, e.g., 30-150joules of energy per pulse, at a preset frequency, or pulse rate, withina predefined frequency range, e.g., 20-50 Hz. In one example, the pulserate may range from 25 to 35 Hz. Various software and hardwarecomponents may be included to achieve an additional functionality suchas remote video imaging of a target area, remote control of the mobilecarriage or platform, an articulated movement of the lamp or headassembly, inward and outward orientations of the lamp assembly or acomponent thereof such as a UV lamp and/or a lamp housing, a safetyemergency shutoff, remote management, reporting, data storage, billing,etc.

From the foregoing compendium, it will be appreciated that a feature ofthe present invention is to provide a targeted surface disinfectionsystem with pulsed UV light of a general character not being subject tothe disadvantages of the aforementioned antecedents of the presentinvention.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a targeted surfacedisinfection system with pulsed UV light of a general character using ahigher frequency pulsing rate relative to those used with theaforementioned antecedents for more effective bombardment ofmicroorganisms.

A consideration of the present invention is to provide a targetedsurface disinfection system with pulsed UV light of a general characterwhich uses a lower discharge energy per pulse relative to those usedwith the aforementioned antecedents, and hence, generates lower noiseand low ozone to the point where additional ozone filters may not berequired.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a targetedsurface disinfection system with pulsed UV light a general characterwhich allows the targeted disinfection of just the desired surfaces andareas of a room, with capability for precise control of the amount of UVlight that hits each targeted area, and hence it does not waste energyby irradiating non-target areas.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a targeted surfacedisinfection system with pulsed UV light of a general character whichrequires less time per average room for targeted disinfection, thereforeit has a lower energy consumption which reduces its cost of operation.

A further consideration of the present invention is to provide atargeted surface disinfection system with pulsed UV light of a generalcharacter where a higher percentage of power used is converted intouseful UV energy being emitted on to the targeted surfaces.

A still further aspect of the present invention is to provide a targetedsurface disinfection system with pulsed UV light of a general characterwhich does not require additional optical filters or ozone filters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown an exemplary embodimentof the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a targeted surface disinfection system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention illustrating acabinet housing a chassis and with an articulated lamp or head assemblyin a retracted position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the targeted surface disinfection system,similar to FIG. 1, but showing the head assembly in an operativeposition;

FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view of the targeted surface disinfectionsystem of FIG. 1 with the head assembly in an operative position;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 2, but with the cabinetremoved;

FIG. 5 is a rear isometric view similar to FIG. 3 with the cabinetremoved;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the targeted surface disinfectionsystem of FIG. 1 with the cabinet removed;

FIG. 7a is a side elevational view of the targeted surface disinfectionsystem of FIG. 1 with the cabinet removed;

FIGS. 7b is a front elevation view of the targeted surface disinfectionsystem illustrating an exemplary additional lamp assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7c is an enlarged scale sectional view taken along the plane B-B ofFIG.7b;

FIG. 7d is an illustration showing the exemplary additional lampassembly of FIG. 7b in an alternate orientation;

FIG. 7e is an illustration showing the additional lamp assembly in adifferent orientation;

FIG. 7f is a front elevation view of the targeted surface disinfectionsystem illustrating an exemplary detachable lamp assembly according toyet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a high voltage power supply, withportions of its cabinet removed to better illustrate exemplarycomponents thereof;

FIGS. 9a-9e are a set of a graphs of test results indicating xenon lampenergy output at different pulse rates;

FIG. 10 is a graph of test results indicating xenon lamp energy outputvariance as a function of incident angles; and

FIG. 11 comprises a set of graphs of test results indicating xenon lampenergy output with and without a reflector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrativeexamples so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosed or related embodiments. Notably, the figures and examplesbelow are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to asingle embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way ofinterchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements.

Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can bepartially or fully implemented using known components, only thoseportions of such known components that may be necessary for anunderstanding of the present invention will be described, and detaileddescriptions of other portions of such known components will be omittedso as not to obscure the potential embodiments. In the presentspecification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not beconsidered limiting; rather, the present invention is intended toencompass other embodiments including a plurality of the samecomponents, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein.

Moreover, any term in the specification or claims is not intended to beascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth assuch. Further, the present invention encompasses present and futureknown equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way ofillustrations.

With reference now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likecomponents throughout, the reference numeral 10 denotes generally atargeted surface disinfection unit with pulsed UV light constructed inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. Further, the term“targeted surface disinfection system” is used in the present inventionin the context of its broadest definition. The targeted surfacedisinfection system may refer to a standalone or a networked electronicor electromechanical device capable of providing a germicidal agent fordisinfection. In one embodiment, the targeted surface disinfectionsystem may refer to a disinfection apparatus (e.g., the targeted surfacedisinfection unit 10) configured to provide the pulsed UV light of apredetermined frequency suitable for deactivating or killing an intendedpathogen. Some embodiments may further include such disinfectionapparatus being configured to operate independently or in communicationwith a set of one or more devices including, but not limited to, (i)sensors (e.g., motion sensors, proximity sensors, temperature sensors,light sensors, sound sensors, pathogen detection sensors, pathogenidentification sensors, electrical parameter sensors such as voltagesensors, current sensors, power sensors, dose/dosage sensors, andintensity sensors, etc.), (ii) remote control systems (e.g., wired orwireless devices, portable or fixed devices, dedicated or smart devices,generic or application-specific devices, scanners or readers, servers orclient devices, automated or non-automated, machine-controlled or usercontrolled devices, single-use or multi-use devices, etc.), (iii)another disinfection apparatus (e.g., a light-based disinfectionapparatus, a chemical disinfection apparatus, a sound or vibration-baseddisinfection apparatus, liquid or vapour-based disinfection apparatus,etc.), (iv) robotic or non-robotic devices and/or any components(including implementing or supporting computer programs) connected orsupported therewith.

Embodiments of the targeted surface disinfection system may include thetargeted surface disinfection unit 10 (“the unit 10”) for targetedsurface disinfection. The unit 10 may include a chassis 12, mounted on aremote controlled robotic mobile carriage (or platform) 14 is enclosedin a cabinet 16. The cabinet 16 may be fabricated out of afire-retardant polymer, but any other suitable materials known in theart, related art, or developed later can be employed. The mobilecarriage or platform 14 is fitted with electric motors connected tofloor mobility devices, e.g., wheels, tracks, mecanum wheels, casters,traction wheels, omnidirectional wheels, etc., which allow the entireunit 10 to move (e.g., sideways, forward, rotate, backward, etc.) and tobe relocated with precision to any desired target position in a room orproximate to a target surface, allowing navigation around furniture andin tight spaces/corners. Optionally, the wheels can be omnidirectional,for example, allowing the unit 10, or a component thereof, to move tothe sides while facing forward, for instance, relative to (i) an aspectof the unit 10, (ii) a spatial position or an orientation of suchaspect, (iii) a person or an object proximate to the unit 10, (iv) atarget surface or a portion/region/object proximate thereto, (v) asignal or feedback (e.g., audio, visual, light, haptic, vibrational,radiofrequency, etc.) being received from a signal source. Examples ofthe aspect may include, but are not limited to, a surface (e.g., anouter surface or an inner surface of the unit 10 or a componentthereof), a side (e.g., a side proximate to or along a UV lamp, a sideaway from a user, a side oriented towards a target surface, a side alonga direction of projection of UV light, a side proximate to or along thesignal source, etc.), any component of the unit 10 including thosediscussed herein, or any combinations thereof. Some embodiments mayinclude the unit 10 being moved sideways while facing forward at apredefined interval(s), a clock time(s), or a disinfection cycle(s)during operation.

Further, alternately or additionally, the unit 10 may include or beadapted to removably include one or more mechanical components foradapting the unit 10 or a portion thereof to move (e.g., pan, swivel,rotate, tilt, oscillate, pivot, extend, etc.) upon receiving a controlsignal from a control system, discussed below in greater detail.Examples of the mechanical components may include, but are not limitedto, motors, gears, belts, chains, linkages, cams, rollers, wheels,pulleys, levers, springs, ball bearings, or any combinations thereof.The unit 10, or a portion thereof, may be configured to moveindependently or relative to another portion, object, or stimulus. Forexample, a portion of the unit 10 may be configured to move about apredetermined axis (e.g., horizontal, vertical, or oblique) relative tothe chassis 12 or the cabinet 16. In another example, a portion of theunit 10 may be configured to move about an axis perpendicular to themobile carriage 14, or any suitable angle ranging from 0 to 90 degreesrelative to the mobile carriage 14. For instance, an upper portion, aside portion, and/or a lower portion of the unit 10 including a UV lampmay be configured for being moved gradually after predefined timeintervals, e.g., ranging from 5 seconds to 60 seconds, until suchmovement is complete to a preset angle, or an interim angle, relative tothe mobile carriage 14 or the floor. In yet another example, a portionof the unit 10 may be configured to move within or along vertical planesaligned with an outer surface of the chassis 12, the mobile carriage 14,or the cabinet 16. In some other examples, a portion of the unit 10 maybe configured to move relative to another portion of the unit 10. Forinstance, a first half, an upper surface or portion, or a first lateralregion of the unit 10 may be configured to move relative to a secondhalf, a lower surface or portion, or a second lateral regionrespectively of the unit 10. Other examples may include, withoutlimitation, the unit 10, or a portion thereof, being configured to movebased on (i) an electrically, magnetically, or optically active marker,or alternatively a passive marker, arranged along a surface, (ii) apredefined path, (iii) a sensor such as those mentioned above, and (iv)signals, or strengths thereof, received from the signal source locatedeither on the unit 10 or proximate thereto.

Embodiments of the unit 10 may include one or more UV lamps. Forexample, in one embodiment, the unit 10 may include a pulsed xenon UVlamp or head assembly 18 being supported from the chassis 12 by a pairof parallel vertical columns 20 having a pair of parallel horizontalupper and lower stringers 22, 23. The head assembly 18 is secured to avertical journal 24, which is seated in registered bearing surfaces 25of the stringers 22. A motor 26, secured to the lower stringer 23,engages a belt drive 28 to selectively rotate the journal 24, and hence,the head assembly 18, in a panning motion about a vertical axis relativeto the chassis 12 or the floor.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, it will be seen that the head assembly18 carries a first UV lamp, e.g., a xenon UV lamp 30 mounted between afront panel 32, having an opening with a fused quartz window 33,preferably without optical filters, and a rear panel 34. The front andrear panels 32, 34 are fixed in parallel relationship by a plurality ofspacer rods 36 and a motorized tilt mechanism 38 joins the top of thejournal 24 to the head assembly 18. The tilt mechanism 38 rotates abouta horizontal axis relative to the chassis 12 for selectively pivotingthe head assembly 18 from a retracted position, seated in a recessedportion of the cabinet 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1, to an operativeposition, shown in FIGS. 2-7 a, and vice versa, and may position a headincluding the xenon lamp 30 at any desired angle there between. The tiltmechanism 38 in combination with the belt driven journal 24 may allow aprecise pan, swivel, tilt, and rotate movement of the head assembly 18.

It should also be noted that the head assembly 18 includes a parabolicreflector 40, which reflects the UV light towards the target area. Thereflector 40 is mounted directly behind the xenon UV lamp 30, and isfabricated of metal or any suitable material to reflect preferably 95%or more of the light in the UV region of interest suitable fordisinfection. Positioning the reflector 40 behind the xenon UV lamp 30helps direct most of the emitted UV light in the direction of thetarget, instead of dissipating it at 360-degrees around the entire roomand therefore, conserves energy. The beam generated by thelamp/reflector combination may preferably be wide to maximize coverageof a target area instead of being a concentrated beam; however, othersuitable lamp/reflector configurations are possible, with moreconcentrated beams of UV light.

To dissipate the heat generated by the xenon UV lamp 30, an airflowdevice such as a fan 42 may be positioned at an opening through the rearpanel 34 of the head assembly 18 and a heat sink 44 may also beemployed. Cooling may be augmented by creating a negative air pressurewithin the cabinet 16 to draw out the warm air from an area around thexenon UV lamp 30 as well as any heat generated by the controlelectronics and power circuitry carried by the chassis 12. In thisregard, another airflow device such as a vacuum pump 46 having achanneling device such as a suction hose 48, which extends to the rearpanel 34, assures that air flow from the head assembly 18 will exhaustthrough louvered vent openings 35 in the cabinet 16. One or moreauxiliary blowers may also be employed to expel warm air out of the ventopenings 35, with optional filtration of the exhaust.

A video camera 50, mounted in the front panel 32, is employed toremotely monitor the targeted surface disinfection system in operationand for remotely moving the unit 10, or any component thereof, fordisinfection of different target areas within the same room. Themovement of the mobile platform 14 and the entire operation of thesystem may be remotely controlled by an operator (e.g., located at asafe distance, outside the room being disinfected with UV) via ahandheld smart device (such as a tablet, etc.) wirelessly connected to awireless hub and to a control unit 60 fitted within the chassis 12. Anoperator standing outside the room also has the ability, on his or hertablet, to watch the targeted surface disinfection system in operationthrough a live-streaming of target areas using the video camera 50 andcan also cause the unit 10 to move within the room using a virtual joystick provided on the tablet's screen, or a tangible joy stick connectedphysically or wirelessly to the tablet.

The cabinet 16 encloses an electrical power supply and control systemfor the mobile carriage or platform 14, the xenon UV lamp 30, or anyother component in communication with the unit 10. An external powercord (not shown) is plugged into a suitable electrical outlet in theroom for powering the unit 10. The power cord may be stored on aretractable reel disposed inside the cabinet 16.

Pursuant to the present invention, a high voltage power supply 52, forenergizing the xenon UV lamp 30, is mounted in the chassis 12. A pulseconfiguration control unit comprising programmable pulse configurationpc boards is positioned in a control card box 54 which is mounted to thechassis 12. Also carried by the chassis 12 is a wireless router or hub56 for data transfer and communication links with a remote operator andserver, a regulated dc power supply 58, a central control unit 60 havingan RF transmitter for communication with a door card and programmablemotor controller cards 62 for controlling the motor 26 and a motor ofthe tilt mechanism 38, effecting articulation of the head assembly 18 aswell as a motor or motors of the mobile carriage or platform 14. Thecontrol card box 54, the central control unit 60 and the motorcontroller cards 62 will hereinafter collectively be referred to as the“control system”.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7 b, the unit 10 may include thesecond lamp or head assembly 102 (“lamp assembly 102”) in combinationwith the lamp or head assembly 18. FIGS. 7b-7e illustrate onlycomponents necessary to implement the lamp assembly 102 with the unit 10for the sake of brevity. One having skill in the art would be able toimplement any additional structural or functional aspects includingthose described in the heretofore based on the concepts discussedherein. In some embodiments, the lamp assembly 102 may be adapted tooperate independently, or in combination with the head assembly 18, tosupport one or more germicidal lamps. The lamp assembly 102 may besupported by the chassis 12; however, some embodiments may include theentirety or aspects of the lamp assembly 102 being supported by thecabinet 16 or the head assembly 18. The lamp assembly 102 may include alamp housing 104, a second UV lamp 106, and a frame 108 being supportedon a movable support assembly coupled with the unit 10. The movablesupport assembly may include a movable support 110 being coupled to thechassis 12. The movable support 110 may include a fixed portionpermanently connected or formed integral with the chassis 12 using anyof a variety of connection mechanisms known in the art. Examples ofthese connection mechanisms include, but are not limited to, welding,molding, a snap fit, a screw fit, a luer-lock, and gluing, which may bechosen depending on the materials from which the fixed portion and thechassis 12 may be made. The movable support 110 may also include amovable portion configured to move (e.g., pan, swivel, rotate, tilt,pivot, extend, etc.) using any suitable movable joint (not shown) knownin the art, about a vertical axis X-X′ perpendicular to the floor oraspects of the unit 10 such as the mobile carriage or platform 14,and/or xenon UV lamp 30. In some embodiments, the movable joint may becoupled to a motor (not shown) for driving the lamp assembly 102 or themovable portion included therein about the vertical axis X-X′ atpredefined intervals as intended. In some embodiments, the vertical axisX-X′ may be parallel to the chassis 12 or the head assembly 18. Otherembodiments may include the movable portion of the support 110 beingconfigured to move sideways while the lamp housing 104, or the second UVlamp 106 arranged therewith, may be facing forward relative topredetermined aspects, components, positions, and/or orientations suchas those described above for the unit 10. The movable portion of thesupport 110 may be coupled with the frame 108 configured to movablysupport the lamp housing 104.

The frame 108 may be coupled to the movable portion at a predefinedlength depending on (i) an amount of load (e.g., exerted by the secondUV lamp 106 or the lamp housing 104) carried by the support 110, (ii) anamount of torque required for rotating the support 110, (iii) a numberand positioning of electrical wires and/or hoses (e.g., cooling hoses),and (iv) positioning of the lamp housing 104 or the second UV lamp 106relative to the cabinet 16 or any modification thereof adapted to fully,or partially, enclose only the lamp assembly 102, the lamp housing 104,or the entire unit 10 including the lamp assembly 102.

The frame 108 may include a base 112 and a set of one or more arms suchas a first arm 114-1 and a second arm 114-2 (collectively, arms 114)extending therefrom. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the base112 may be rotatably coupled to the movable portion of the support 110;however, some embodiments may include the base 112 being rotatablycoupled to the fixed portion of the support 110. The base 112 may beconfigured to rotate about a vertical axis Y-Y′ relative to the frame108. For example, the vertical axis Y-Y′ may extend along a center ofthe frame 108. In another example, the vertical axis Y-Y′ may extendalong a lateral surface, or a portion proximate thereto, of the frame108.

The arms 114 may extend perpendicular to the base 112; however, othersuitable acute or obtuse angles, or combinational sub-branches thereof,relative to the base 112 may be contemplated adapted to providestability to the frame 108 and the lamp housing 104 during operation.The first arm 114-1 may have a first inner surface including a portionof a channeling device or portion (“channeling portion”) extendingtherethrough. In one example, the channeling portion may include abifurcated portion of the suction hose 48, while another portion mayalso extend to the head assembly 18 and have an opening proximate to thexenon UV lamp 30. In another example, the channeling portion mayinclude, coupled or integrated with a separate suction hose (not shown)in flow connection with the vacuum pump 46 and/or any other airflowdevice. Other examples may include the channeling portion being an airpath created by a portion of the lamp housing 104, the frame 108, thechassis 12, the head assembly 18, the cabinet 16, or any combinationsthereof.

On the other hand, the second arm 114-2 may have a second inner surfaceto which the second UV lamp 106 may be secured. However, in someembodiments, the second UV lamp 106 may be secured with the lamp housing104. The first inner surface may be located opposite, e.g., axiallyopposite, to the second inner surface and have a predefined distance(“arm separation”) therebetween. The arm separation may be sufficient tostably align the lamp housing 104, or a portion thereof, with the frame108, e.g., between the arms 114. In some embodiments, the arm separationmay be defined by a length or curvature of a portion of the frame 108.

The lamp housing 104 may be adapted to fully, or partially, receiveand/or support the second UV lamp 106. The lamp housing 104 may bemovably coupled to the frame 108 using any of a variety of mechanicalcomponents and mechanisms such as those mentioned above. In oneembodiment, the lamp housing 104 may include one or more side openings(not shown) for being mounted with the frame 108. For example, the lamphousing 104 may include a first side opening (not shown) and a secondside opening (not shown) for being arranged adjacent to the first arm114-1 and the second arm 114-2 respectively. The first side opening maybe configured to receive the channeling portion such as a portion of thesuction hose 48 (“hose portion 48”) extending from the first innersurface, and the second side opening may be configured to receive thesecond UV lamp 106 secured to the second inner surface of the frame 108.Upon being received, the hose portion 48 may have a hose opening 116arranged proximate to the second UV lamp 106 in various configurationsto remove warm air around the second UV lamp 106. For example, thereceived hose portion 48 or the hose opening 116, and the second UV lamp106 may be arranged along the same axis such as a horizontal axis, avertical axis, and an angular axis. In another example, the receivedhose portion 48 or the hose opening 116, and the second UV lamp 106 maybe arranged parallel to each other or located in the same plane. In yetanother example, the received hose portion 48 or the hose opening 116,and the second UV lamp 106 may be arranged either non-parallel to eachother or located in different planes. In still another example, thereceived hose portion 48 or the hose opening 116 may be locatedvertically offset from the second UV lamp 106. In some embodiments, thelamp housing 104 may be detachable from the lamp assembly 102, or acomponent thereof such as the frame 108 and/or a portion of the movablesupport 110.

The channeling portion may extend from the lamp assembly 102 to thechassis 12. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7 c, the hose portion 48may be routed from within a hollow body of the support 110 to thechassis 12. In another example, the hose portion 48 may be routed to thechassis 12 along the frame 108 and/or the support 110. Other examplesmay include the hose portion 48 being routed towards the head assembly18, or the xenon UV lamp 30 carried therewith, and/or the cabinet 16.The hose portion 48 from the lamp assembly 102 may be fluidicallycoupled to the vacuum pump 46 or any other suitable airflow device forcreating an airflow away from the lamp housing 104, or the second UVlamp 106 arranged therewith, to expel the warm air therefrom.

The channeling portion or the hose portion 48 may further include anexhaust portion (not shown) configured to expel air from the lamphousing 104. The exhaust portion may include an exhaust opening (notshown) to discharge the warm air therethrough received from the lamphousing 104. In some embodiments, aspects of the hose portion 48, thehose opening 116, the exhaust portion, and/or the exhaust opening mayinclude or be replaced with an air path, and an air outlet connectedthereto, created by portions of the unit 10, the cabinet 16, or anymodifications thereof.

One or more embodiments may include the air path, the air outlet, theexhaust portion, and/or the exhaust opening being configured to directthe air, or a portion thereof, from the lamp housing 104 towards anambient surrounding or a predetermined portion of the unit 10. Aspectsof the air path, the air outlet, the exhaust portion, and/or the exhaustopening may be aligned with louvered vent openings in the cabinet 16, ormodifications thereof, to exhaust the warm air. However, in someembodiments, the air path, the air outlet, the exhaust portion and/orthe exhaust opening may be aligned along the lamp assembly 102 or acomponent thereof such as the lamp housing 104. In some otherembodiments, the air path, the air outlet, the exhaust portion and/orthe exhaust opening may be aligned along, below, or above the headassembly 18 and/or the lamp assembly 102. In still other embodiments,the air path, the air outlet, the exhaust portion and/or the exhaustopening may be aligned along a side surface, an upper portion, a lowerportion, or a bottom surface of the chassis 12. Other embodiments mayinclude the air path, the air outlet, the exhaust portion and/or theexhaust opening being aligned along the xenon UV lamp 30 and/or thesecond UV lamp 106. Optionally, the lamp housing 104 may additionally oralternatively include blowers (not shown) to expel the warm air out ofthe lamp housing 104 via the same or a different air path or an airoutlet. In some embodiments, the exhaust opening and/or the air outletmay be fitted with a filter such as a dust filter (e.g., ahigh-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter) and/or a gas filter(e.g., an ozone filter). Other embodiments may include any such filtersbeing located proximate to the air outlet and/or the exhaust opening.

The lamp housing 104 may be rotatably secured to the one or more arms114 using any of a variety of mechanical components and mechanisms knownin the art including those mentioned above. Upon being secured, the lamphousing 104 may be configured to rotate about a horizontal axis relativeto the frame 108 or at least one of the arms 114, the lamp assembly 102,the chassis, or any components (e.g., the suction hose 48, the second UVlamp 106, etc.) coupled thereto. For example, the lamp housing 104 maybe configured to rotate about a horizontal axis T-T′ extending throughthe second UV lamp 106 and the hose opening 116 proximate thereto. Inanother example, a portion of the lamp housing 104 may rotate only aboutthe second UV lamp 106. In yet another example, a portion of the lamphousing 104 may rotate only about the hose opening 116 proximate to thesecond UV lamp 106.

The lamp housing 104 and/or the base 112 may have any suitableconfiguration known in the art to reduce friction therebetween duringrotation. For example, a lower surface of the lamp housing 104 may beelevated from the base 112 or the lamp housing 104 may be suspendedabove the base 112 upon being secured to the arms 114. In anotherexample, an outer surface of the lamp housing 104 may include rollers(not shown) configured to roll over a surface of the base 112 duringrotation. In yet another example, a surface of the base 112 proximate tothe lamp housing 104 may include holes (not shown) configured to blowair at a predefined pressure towards the lamp housing 104 duringrotation. The holes may be fluidically connected to an airflow device(not shown) either directly or via a hose. The airflow device may besupported or aligned with the frame 108, the chassis 12, the cabinet 16,or any modifications thereof.

Within the lamp housing 104, the second UV lamp 106 may be arrangedadjacent to an emission window 118 of the lamp housing 104. The emissionwindow 118 may refer to a portion of the lamp housing 104 including,partially including, or excluding components (e.g., to create anopening) or agents that allow or facilitate a germicidal or an intendedportion of a projected light to pass through. Examples of suchcomponents may include, but not limited to, a quartz window, an opticalfilter, or any other optically permissive barrier or enclosure such as aglass. Examples of such agents may include, but not limited to, vapors,mists, smoke, fluids, etc. The second UV lamp 106 may be similar to thexenon UV lamp 30; however, any suitable types of UV lamps known in theart, related art, or developed later including, but not limited to, amercury-based UV lamp, a continuous UV lamp or a non-pulsed UV lamp, apulsed UV lamp, a broad-spectrum UV lamp, a narrow-spectrum UV lamp, anda UV light emitting diode (LED) may be implemented. The second UV lamp106, with or without the xenon UV lamp 30, may assist to irradiate asingle target surface or a set of target surfaces for disinfection.Although the lamp assembly 102 is being described with respect to asingle UV source, one having skill in the art would understand thatmultiple light sources including, but not limited to, one or more UVlamps, visible light lamps, and/or infra-red lamps may be arranged withthe lamp assembly 102 or the head assembly 18.

The lamp housing 104 may include one or more optical manipulatorsconfigured to manipulate (i) a direction of light projection and/or (ii)characteristics (e.g., intensity, power, frequency, etc.) of the UVlight incident on a target surface or that emitted by the second UV lamp106. Examples of the optical manipulators may include, but are notlimited to, lenses, optical filters, or any other less-than-opticallytransparent screens with or without perforations. In one embodiment, thelamp housing 104 may include a reflector 120 for projecting the light,e.g., from the second UV lamp 106, outwards through the emission window118. The lamp housing 104 may have any suitable shape, size, and/orcross-section depending on those of the number of light sources such asthe second UV lamp 106 and/or ancillary components or electronicsarranged therewith.

In one embodiment, the lamp housing 104 or the second UV lamp 106supported therewith may be arranged within or along (i) an outer surfaceor (ii) a recessed portion (for the head assembly 18) of the cabinet 16,or any modifications thereof, which may fully or partially enclose thelamp assembly 102. In another embodiment, the lamp housing 104 or thesecond UV lamp 106 supported therewith may be arranged along the headassembly 18 or the xenon UV lamp 30 carried therewith. In yet anotherembodiment, the lamp housing 104 or the second UV lamp 106 supportedtherewith may be arranged to move (e.g., pan, swivel, rotate, tilt,oscillate, pivot, extend, etc.) within the vertical planes aligned alongan outer surface of the chassis 12, the mobile carriage 14, and/or thecabinet 16, or any modifications thereof. Some embodiments may includeaspects of the lamp assembly 102 being automated or configured to moveautonomously. For example, the movable portion of the support 110, theframe 108, and/or the lamp housing 104 may include one or more electricmotors for rotation. The motors may be controlled by the control system,e.g., remotely, for predefined automated or autonomous movements of thelamp assembly 102, or components thereof (e.g., the movable portion ofthe support 110, the frame 108, the lamp housing 104, and/or the secondUV lamp 106), relative to the unit 10.

The lamp housing 104 may be configured to be arranged have an outwardorientation and an inward orientation. As illustrated in FIG. 7 d, inthe outward orientation, the lamp housing 104 may be configured toproject the UV light substantially exterior to the unit 10. Someembodiments may include the lamp housing 104 being oriented to allow theUV light being partially projected towards an interior of the unit 10 inthe outward orientation. In the inward orientation (FIG. 7e ), the lamphousing 104 may be configured to project the UV light substantiallytowards an interior portion of the unit 10. For example, the lamphousing 104 may be configured to project the UV light from the second UVlamp 106 towards a portion within an outer surface of the chassis 12. Inanother example, the lamp housing 104 may be arranged to project the UVlight below the head assembly 18 or a portion of the vertical journal24, or above the mobile carriage 14. Some embodiments may include thelamp housing 104 being oriented to allow the UV light being partiallyprojected exterior of the unit 10 in the inward orientation. The lamphousing 104 may be rotated about the horizontal axis T-T′ eithermanually, or automatically by the control system, for being arranged inthese orientations. In some embodiments, the lamp housing 104 may berotated in combination with the frame 108 and/or the movable portion ofthe support 110, or movements thereof. Other embodiments may include thelamp assembly 102 or any component thereof such as the lamp housing 104being moved in combination or relative to the head assembly 18.

In a third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7 f, the unit 10 mayinclude a detachable lamp assembly 202 alone or in combination with thehead assembly 18 and/or the lamp assembly 102. The detachable lampassembly 202 may be similar to the lamp assembly 102 but can bedetachably secured with the unit 10. The detachable lamp assembly 202may include a third UV lamp 204 and a movable support 210 for beingdetachably secured to the unit 10. The third UV lamp 204 may besupported with a lamp housing 206 movably secured to a frame 208, whichmay be configured to rotate about the movable support 210. The lamphousing 206, the frame 208, and the movable support 210 may beconfigured to move (e.g., pan, swivel, rotate, tilt, oscillate, pivot,extend, etc.) in a manner and along relative axes as described above forthe lamp housing 104, the frame 108, and the movable support 110respectively. For example, the lamp housing 206 may be configured torotate about a predefined axis such as a horizontal axis, a verticalaxis, and/or an oblique axis relative to the frame 208 or the movablesupport 210. In another example, the frame 208 may be configured torotate about a vertical axis extending along a portion of the movablesupport 210. The lamp housing 206 may also include any suitable opticalmanipulator such as those mentioned above. For example, the lamp housing206 may include a reflector 220 placed proximate to (e.g., behind) thethird UV lamp 204 or an emission window of the lamp housing 206.

The movable support 210 may be detachably secured with the chassis 12using any of a variety of mechanical components and mechanisms known inthe art including those described above. For example, a portion of themovable support 210 may be secured with the chassis 12 using a connector212 attached therewith. The connector 212 may be configured as aninterface between the detachable lamp assembly 202 and the unit10/chassis 12. For instance, the connector 212 may be permanentlyconnected, detachably coupled, or formed integral with the chassis 12and configured to secure a portion of the movable support 210 using anyof a variety of connection mechanisms known in the art. Examples ofthese connection mechanisms include, but are not limited to, a snap fit,a screw fit, a luer-lock, and friction fit, which may be chosendepending on the materials from which the portion and the chassis 12 maybe made.

The connector 212 may include or being coupled with one or moreelectrical contacts configured to power the detachable lamp assembly 202or a component thereof (e.g., the third UV lamp 204) upon being securedwith the connector 212. The electrical contacts may be electricallycoupled with the control and electronics of the unit 10 or anyadditional components (e.g., batteries) as required. For example, theelectrical contacts may be coupled with one or more of the high voltagepower supply 52, the hub 56, the regulated dc power supply 58, and thecontrol system similar to the lamp assembly 102 and the xenon UV lamp30. However, in some embodiments, the detachable lamp assembly 202 maybe powered by or include a separate power supply (e.g., a portablebattery) and control electronics. One having skill in the art wouldunderstand that the movable support 210 of the detachable lamp assembly202 may be configured with any suitable electrical connectors forengaging with the electrical contacts of the connector 212. However,some embodiments may additionally or alternatively include theelectrical connectors being arranged with any other portion or componentof the detachable lamp assembly 202 such as the lamp housing 206 and/orthe frame 208. The connector 212 may also include or being coupled witha channeling portion or device of the unit 10 (or “unit fluidchanneler”) configured to couple with a fluid connector of thedetachable lamp assembly 202. In one example, the unit fluid channeler(not shown) may include or be in flow communication with a portion ofthe suction hose 48 or any other component coupled with the vacuum pump46. In another example, the unit fluid channeler may be a separate hoseor a portion/component of the unit 10 in flow communication with anairflow device on the unit 10. The unit fluid channeler may also befluidically connected directly with the louvered vent openings in thecabinet 16, or modifications thereof, and/or via the air path, the airoutlet, the exhaust portion, and/or the exhaust opening associated withthe suction hose 48. In some embodiments, the unit fluid channeler maybe located on the unit 10 separately from the connector 212.

Further, the detachable lamp assembly 202 may include a channelingdevice or portion for systemic cooling during operation. For example,the detachable lamp assembly 202 may include a fluid connector such as ahose 214 extending between the lamp housing 206 and the movable support210. The hose 214 may have a first opening 216 proximate to the third UVlamp 204 and a second opening 218 for communicating with the unit fluidchanneler coupled with an airflow device of the unit 10. For instance, aportion of the hose 212 including the second opening 218 may beremovably secured with the unit fluid channeler using any of a varietyof connection mechanisms known in the art such as those mentioned aboveincluding friction fit. Upon being secured, the unit fluid channelercoupled with the airflow device such as the vacuum pump 46 may create anegative air pressure within the lamp housing 206 via the hose 214 andopenings 216, 218 thereof, thereby drawing out warm air proximate to thethird UV lamp 204. The drawn warm air may be expelled from the louveredvent openings in the cabinet 16 either directly or via the air outletand/or the exhaust opening associated with the suction hose 48. In someembodiments, the air outlet and/or the exhaust opening may be fittedwith a filter such as a dust filter (e.g., a HEPA filter) and/or a gasfilter (e.g., an ozone filter). Other embodiments may include any suchfilters being located proximate to the air outlet and/or the exhaustopening.

Some embodiments may include an airflow device being located on thedetachable lamp assembly 202 and configured to expel warm air proximateto the germicidal lamps including the xenon UV lamp 30, the second UVlamp 106, and/or the third UV lamp 204. For example, the lamp housing206 may include an airflow device and an exhaust opening. This airflowdevice may be configured to expel warm air proximate to a predeterminedgermicidal lamp through the exhaust opening, e.g., using the hose 48 andthe unit fluid channeler. One having skill in the art would understandto implement any of the required or additional openings, channels,components, and connections with the detachable lamp assembly 202 forremoving the warm air therethrough based on the concepts described inthe present invention.

In a fourth embodiment, the unit 10 may additionally or alternativelyinclude one or more UV lamps removably supported with the cabinet 16.For example, a removable UV lamp or any ancillary portions thereof, maybe integrated with or formed out of a portion of the cabinet 16. Inanother example, a removable UV lamp may be operatively coupled to aportion of the cabinet 16. For instance, the removable UV lamp may berotatably mounted with or aligned along a portion of the cabinet 16 or achannel therein (e.g., the recessed portion of the cabinet 16). Theremovable UV lamp may be configured to rotate upon being engaged withthe cabinet 16 in a manner described above for the lamp housing 104 ofthe lamp assembly 102.

The removable UV lamp may be similar to the xenon UV lamp 30; however,any suitable types of UV sources may be implemented such as thosediscussed above. The removable UV lamp may be aligned with one or morepredefined cavities (not shown) in a cabinet such as the cabinet 16, orany modifications thereof. Each cavity may be adapted for receivingand/or supporting the removable UV lamp, or any structural elementsassociated therewith. Examples of these structural elements may include,but are not limited to, a cover, wires, ducts, air passages, reflectors,securing or driving mechanisms similar to the lamp assembly 102,portable power sources and other electronics, and so on. Someembodiments may include the cavities being created by a set of one ormore removable parts configured for being detachably coupled with theunit 10 or any component thereof including, but not limited to, cabinet16, the chassis 12, the mobile carriage 14, and/or the head assembly 18.

The number and positions of the cavities may be defined based on avariety of factors including, but not limited to, (i) an intendedposition of the removable UV lamp relative to the cabinet 16, or thechassis 12, direction of projection, and/or coverage span of thegermicidal UV light projected therefrom, (ii) spatial locations oftarget surfaces relative to (a) distances between the target surfaces,(b) dimensions and structural ability of the unit 10, and/or (c) aspectsof the room in which the unit 10 may be placed, (iii) movability of theunit 10, or a portion thereof (e.g., the head assembly 18, thereflectors, the xenon UV lamp 30, the lamp assembly 102, the second UVlamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, etc.), (iv) a rate of disinfection ofthe target surfaces, (v) a rate of projection, intensity, dose, and/orfrequency of UV light emitted from the removable UV lamp alone or incombination with that from the xenon UV lamp 30 and/or the second UVlamp 106 during operation. For instance, the cavities, or the one ormore removable UV lamps arranged therewith, may be positioned along anupper portion, a mid-portion, and/or a lower portion of the chassis 12.However, other suitable positions on the unit 10 may be contemplated.Examples of these positions may include, but are not limited to, (i)proximate to the head assembly 18, the xenon UV lamp 30, the lampassembly 102, or the second UV lamp 106, (ii) proximate to the floor,e.g., along a plane perpendicular or parallel to the floor, (iii) alongan outer surface of the mobile carriage 14, (iv) along an exteriorsurface or interior surface of the cabinet 16, (v) within or along thevertical planes aligned with an outer surface of the chassis 12 or thecabinet 14, (vi) below the head assembly 18 and/or the xenon UV lamp 30supported therewith, or the lamp assembly 102 and/or the second UV lamp106 supported therewith, (vii) along or below the vertical journal 24,(viii) proximate to the exhaust opening, the air outlet, or a portionthereof, (ix) proximate to a filter such as the ozone filter, e.g.,along the air path or the exhaust portion of the suction hose 48extending to the filter, and (x) along a cooling system (e.g., the fan,the vacuum pump 46, or any hose or air path fluidically connectedthereto or proximate to an outer surface of the cabinet 16, etc.) forthe xenon UV lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, theremovable UV lamp, and/or the operational components such as the powersupply 52, 58, batteries, the pulse configuration control unit, thecontrol unit 60, and so on.

Referring now to FIG. 8, wherein components of the high voltage powersupply 52 are depicted and may be located within a housing such as thecabinet 16, energy is stored in a high power capacitor 64 for arelatively long period, e.g. a fraction of a second, from which it isreleased with a shorter time, e.g. nanoseconds to milliseconds,resulting in intense pulses of light generated by the xenon lamp 30, thesecond UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and/or the removable UV lampsfocused on the target treatment area. Also included in the housing is atransformer 68, is a capacitor bank 65, inductors 66, a resistor 70, anda cooling fan 72.

An LCD screen 76, fitted with touch screen capability or other inputcontrols, is mounted at the rear of the cabinet 16, enables anadministrator to review and interface with the operating parameters andto manually control/adjust/program various operating parameters, suchas: the frequency of the UV pulse, the duration of the flashing cycleand to toggle between various modes of flash, etc. The LCD screengraphical interface preferably has capability for being passwordprotected or implements other credential-based login systems that onlyallow authorized personnel to operate it for programming, repair ordiagnostics.

One or more access panels (not shown) on the cabinet 16 allow access toall components (e.g., motors, servos, electronics, robotics, structuralmembers, blowers, etc.) disposed inside the cabinet 16, for assembly andmaintenance purposes. In some embodiments, the one or more cavitiesaligned with the cabinet 16 may define or facilitate implementation ofthe access panels. Various storage slots and holders can be optionallyfitted on or in the cabinet 16 to hold or store various attachments,such as the remote control tablet, various auxiliary safety devices,e.g., emergency shut-off switches, both wireless and manual, may also belocated at convenient positions along or within the cabinet 16 or may bestored in pull out trays 74.

The cabinet 16, or any modifications thereof, may also include a handle78, illustrated in FIG. 1, enabling an operator to manually maneuver theunit 10 from room to room.

The operator located outside the room being disinfected has the ability,on his or her tablet, to remotely pan, swivel and tilt the head assembly18 in order to precisely direct the UV beam to the area targeted fordisinfection. By being able to be positioned close to the target area,no matter how small such target area is, and to treat that area with aconcentrated beam of UV light, the unit 10 of the present invention isuniquely suited for spot disinfection of high-touch surfaces in rooms,hospitals, nursing homes and other places.

When not in operation for UV disinfection, the head assembly 18 retractsor folds inside a recess provided in the upper section of the cabinet16. With the head assembly 18 tucked in its retracted configuration, theentire unit 10 is more maneuverable and easier to move around, and thefragile components, especially the xenon UV flash lamp 30 in the headassembly 18, are more protected during moving, transport and storage. Insome embodiments, the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and/orthe one or more additional removable UV lamps may be activated when thehead assembly 18 may be retracted. The second UV lamp 106 may bearranged in the inward orientation to project the UV light towards apredetermined portion of the unit 10 such as a storage or stowing unitwithin vertical planes aligned along an outer surface of the chassis 12or the cabinet 16.

If ozone by-production by the UV flash lamp such as the xenon UV lamp30, the second UV lamp 106, and the third UV lamp 204 is a concern,which might only be expected at high lamp power levels, the same coolingsystem can be optionally adapted to also remove the ozone by-product, byfitting ozone filters within the path of the cooling air streamexhausted by the vacuum pump 46. Normal dust air filters can also beoptionally fitted. The air stream drawn from the head assembly 18, theadditional lamp assembly 102, and/or the detachable lamp assembly 202,may also be employed to cool the control electronics mounted to thechassis 12.

In one embodiment, the xenon UV flash lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106,the third UV lamp 204, and/or the additional removable UV lamps cancomprise a commercially available xenon UV flash lamp which, pursuant tothe present invention, is programmed to simultaneously emit 30-150joules of energy per pulse at a frequency of 20-50 Hz, with a furtherpreferred pulse rate of 25-35 Hz. At a pulse rate above 25-30 Hz, thevisible flicker of the emitted visible light is almost un-noticeable,appearing as a quasi-continuous light with no annoying pulsing-flasheffect. Also, such UV pulse rates above 25-30 Hz, with the relativelylow 30-150 joules of power per pulse, as employed in the presentinvention, produce a much softer, gentle humming sound during operation,avoiding the annoying loud popping/cracking sound commonly generated byprior art pulsed UV systems operating at lower pulsing rates and higherlevels of power per pulse, such as, the prior art systems referencedabove, which operate below 2 Hz and above 500 joules of power per pulse.The much softer sound generated by the operation of the presentinvention greatly reduces the discomfort and disturbance caused topeople, often hospital patients, located in the vicinity of the roombeing disinfected.

In another embodiment, the xenon UV lamp 30 may be configured to operatein combination with another light source to emit energy at a combinedfrequency of greater than 2 Hz. For instance, the xenon UV lamp 30 maybe operated in combination with the second UV lamp 106, the third UVlamp 204, and/or the additional removable UV lamps to emit a predefinedamount of energy, e.g., 30-150 joules per pulse, at a combined frequencyof 20-50 Hz. One example may include the xenon UV lamp 30 beingconfigured to emit UV light at a frequency of 15 Hz while the second UVlamp 106 may be made to emit UV light at 5 pulses per second, therebyprojecting a predefined amount of UV light on to one or more targetsurface(s) at a combined UV frequency of 20 Hz. Another example mayinclude the xenon UV lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106, and a removable UVlamp being configured to emit the UV light at frequencies of 30 Hz, 10Hz, and 5 Hz respectively to project the combined UV light at a combinedfrequency of 45 Hz. Yet another example may include the xenon UV lampbeing configured to emit UV light at a frequency of 5 Hz while theremovable UV lamp may be made to emit UV light at 30 pulses per second,thereby projecting a predefined amount of UV light at a combined UVfrequency of 35 Hz. Still another example may include the xenon UV lamp30, the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and a removable UVlamp being configured to emit the UV light at frequencies of 5 Hz, 10Hz, 15 Hz, and 20 Hz respectively to project the combined UV light at acombined frequency of 50 Hz. One having skill in the art would be ableto contemplate other suitable combinations of frequencies for thegermicidal lamps associated with the unit 10. Such a distributedfrequency configuration may assist for (i) an efficient powerdistribution to the unit 10 and each of the lamps operating therewith,(ii) interruption-free disinfection cycles, and (iii) target-based (orpathogen-based) emission of UV energy.

Another aspect of the present invention is a software system, which maycombine, among other functions, a control function (local and remote), abilling/record keeping function, a safety function, a scan the area tobe treated function and a lamp life/output monitoring function. Usingvarious sensors and hardware control units, the software system can, forexample, track exactly the number and the energy of all UV pulsesdelivered during the life of a particular unit or lamp or during anyparticular cleaning step, thus enabling a bill by the number of UVpulses invoicing framework for the operation of the unit 10.

The wireless communication router or hub 56, using any suitable wirelessprotocol, is included as part of the hardware and software of thisinvention, allowing bi-directional communication with a wide range ofremote accessories, sensors and controls.

In conjunction with optional remote or wired sensors, such as, doorcards, motion sensors, occupancy sensors, temperature sensors, smokesensors, ozone sensors, etc., the software can also implement anoperational safety regime for the entire system, whereby the unit 10shuts down automatically if any dangerous conditions are encountered ordetected by the remote sensors, e.g. motion/vibration detected proximateto the unit 10 or at a door of the room being disinfected, signifyingthat a person is about to enter the room while the unit 10 is operating,etc.

The software system may consist of different modules, e.g., the controlsystem (central control unit 60, the motor control card 62 and thecontrol cards box 54, located on the chassis 12 or any connectedhardware), other modules which may be located on a remote web server,and some of which are installed on a tablet, or other smart handhelddevice. An operator will preferentially use the tablet as the mainremote user interface. The tablet positioned outside the room beingdisinfected communicates wirelessly, via any suitable wireless protocolsuch as WiFi, Bluetooth, RF, etc., with the communication hub 56 and thecontrol system. The same tablet may also communicate, via a cellulardata connection, e.g., GSM, 3G, LTE, etc., with a remote web serverwhere some of the software functionality of this invention may beimplemented, such as, tracking, billing, auditing, performancemonitoring, record keeping, etc.

An optional GPS module on the tablet can relay to the remote webserverthe precise location where each UV disinfection unit such as the unit 10is deployed, enabling the remote webserver to offer centralizedbackground processing and database services for a large number of UVdisinfection units field-deployed anywhere in the world.

Typical Mode and Method of Operation for a Preferred Embodiment

In an exemplary mode and method of operation, an embodiment of thisinvention is used to disinfect the high touch surfaces in a hospitalroom, a typical source of germs, which cause hospital acquiredinfections. The functional strength of this invention is for targetedsurface disinfection of relatively smaller areas, as opposed to thewhole room disinfection at once approach of the prior art systems.Indeed, objects such as equipment and furniture in a room beingdisinfected make one shot whole room disinfection almost impossible.

Typically, the targeted surface disinfection unit 10 is wheeled into aroom which contains the target area to be disinfected by UV light.However, in some embodiments, the unit 10 or any of the germicidal lamps(e.g., the xenon UV lamp 10, the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp204, etc.) connected therewith may be positioned proximate to the roomor the target area for being disinfected. After orienting the unit 10,or a germicidal lamp connected therewith, toward the general target areaand plugging in the unit's power cord into a wall AC power outlet, theoperator leaves the room, places a motion sensing tag, e.g., a doorcard, at the entrance door, and remotely initiates a disinfection cyclefrom the tablet.

At the beginning of a UV disinfection cycle, the unit's head assembly 18moves into its normal upright operating position, illustrated in FIGS.2-3 by tilting up from of its stored folded down position, illustratedin FIG. 1. In tandem with the head assembly 18 or independently, thesecond UV lamp 106 or the third UV lamp 204 may be moved into apredefined orientation relative to the head assembly 18 and/or theremovable lamp based on the target surfaces. For example, the second UVlamp 106 may be arranged fully, or partially, in the inward orientationfor disinfecting a target surface or object within or along the cabinet16 while the third UV lamp 204 may be arranged to project the UV lightexterior to the unit 10, or vice versa. Another example may include thesecond UV lamp 106 being arranged fully, or partially, in the outwardorientation for disinfecting a target surface spatially away from (i) adirection of UV emission or (ii) another target surface beingdisinfected by the xenon UV lamp 30 and/or the third UV lamp 204. Apre-programmed number of UV flashes of a programmed intensity and pulsefrequency are then delivered by one or more germicidal lamps such as thexenon lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and/or theremovable UV lamps to the one or more target surfaces. Once the UVdisinfection cycle has been completed, the motorized tilt mechanism 38is actuated to tilt the head assembly 18 into its stored position, andthe second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and/or the removable UVlamps, may be switched-off.

During the UV disinfection process, the door card such as the door card80 placed on the access door to the room continuously monitors for thedetection of any movement at or around the door. Detection of movementor vibration around the door of the room being treated will result in animmediate emergency shut off of the control system, the targeted surfacedisinfection system or any particular component thereof, e.g., the xenonUV lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and/or theremovable UV lamps, etc.

By using a tablet or a handheld smart device on which the controlsoftware is installed, the operator can remotely interact with thecontrol system within the chassis 12, can select operational parameters,can initiate or stop all steps involved in the process, and can as wellsee inside the room by accessing the video camera 50.

An optional first step could consist of an automated scanning of thegeneral target area by the control unit 60, or the operator can select amanual or preprogrammed xenon lamp flashing routine. The xenon lamp 30is initially positioned perpendicular to the vertical axis and parallelto floor, but the operator can remotely pan, swivel and tilt the headassembly 18 to a predetermined angle relative to the chassis 12, inorder to precisely direct the beam of UV light to the targeted surfaceto be disinfected.

The tablet may be programmed with a virtual joystick to enable theoperator to remotely drive, direct and navigate the unit 10 within theroom by controlling the motors of the platform 14 so that multipletarget surfaces may be disinfected without the need to re-enter the roomto re-position the unit 10 after each target surface has beendisinfected. In some embodiments, the mobile carriage 14, the chassis12, or components supported therewith (e.g., the head assembly 18, thelamp assembly 102, the detachable lamp assembly 202, or any partsthereof such as the second UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, theremovable lamps, etc.), may be configured to navigate autonomously.

Alternatively, the targeted surface disinfection system may be providedwithout remote controlled or autonomous robotic navigationalcapabilities. The principle of operation would be similar, however.After completing the disinfection of one target surface, the operatorwould reenter the room and manually reposition the unit 10 in front ofthe next disinfection target surface, exit the room and remotely startthe next disinfection cycle.

Various embodiments of this invention, with or without remote controlledor autonomous robotic navigational capabilities can be built with acommon chassis 12, the head assembly 18, the lamp assembly 102, and thedetachable lamp assembly 202, which could then be fitted either on anon-motorized wheeled platform, or on the motorized robotic the wheeledplatform 14. Each platform will have the same component dimensions toaccommodate the chassis 12, the head assembly 18, the lamp assembly 102,the detachable lamp assembly 202, and/or the removable UV lamps. Thismodular construction offers flexibility and ensures that no majorchanges will be needed for the manufacturing either version of the unit10. Some embodiments may include any of the lamp assemblies such as thehead assembly 18, a second lamp assembly 102, a third detachable lampassembly 202, and/or the removable UV lamps being positioned on aseparate platform(s), which may be structurally or functionallyconnected, locally or remotely controlled, motorized or non-motorized,wheeled or non-wheeled, and autonomous or non-autonomous.

Preferred Parameters of UV Irradiation

The xenon lamp 30 comprises an electrical U-shaped xenon UV dischargelamp placed behind the clear fused quartz window 33. No region of theemitted radiation is filtered in a preferred embodiment, due to theexperimental observation that all regions of emitted radiation, i.e.UV-A, UV-B, UV-C and even the visible region, contribute positively tothe disinfection process.

In contrast with the prior art trend of using high powered lamps (withemitted energies above 500 joules per pulse), the inventors herein madethe surprising observation that better disinfection results (requiringless UV exposure time for germ inactivation) are achieved with alower-power xenon UV discharge lamp of a typical emitted energy of30-150 joules per pulse, by operating at a higher frequency of 20-50 Hz,compared to a frequency of less than 2 Hz used in the prior art.Additionally, in the prior art, energy per pulse varied as a function offrequency. If the frequency was decreased, the energy per pulseincreased, and if the frequency was increased, the energy per pulsedecreased, whereas pursuant to the invention, for a certain set ofconditions the energy per pulse remains constant regardless of pulsefrequency variations.

A preferred sub-range of pulse rate for the present invention is 25-35Hz, with higher rates resulting in increased amperage draw. However,other suitable frequency sub-ranges may be contemplated based on a type,density, and/or disinfection rate of a targeted surface or pathogen. Ifthe unit is to use regular AC wall outlets of the kind normally presentin a typical hospital room (120 VAC and 15 A in N. America), the 15 Amaximum current draw may become a limit that prevents pulse rates higherthan 35-50 Hz from being achievable.

For targeted short-duration disinfection treatments, an alternativeembodiment of the present invention may be powered entirely by on-boardbatteries or other type of rechargeable energy storage devices (e.g.,for autonomous movement), without the need to be plugged in to an ACwall-outlet.

As shown in the experimental test values graphed in the FIGS. 9a -9 e,the xenon UV discharge lamp can maintain its energy output in the UVregion at a reasonably high level, even with a 50 Hz pulse rate.

Further experimental tests performed by the inventors herein show thatthe presence of a reflector such as the reflector 40 is beneficial forfocusing and guiding the bulk of the UV energy output towards thefrontal direction of the beam (directly perpendicular to reflector).Experimental data graphed in the FIG. 10 shows how irradiance changeswith the angle of the beam, proving that the energy output is much lowerat various side angles compared to full frontal direction.

Further experimental data graphed in FIG. 11 shows how irradiancetowards the target area directly in front of the UV emitter is muchgreater in the presence of a reflector, proving that the use of areflector could directly lead to higher energy exposure and shorterexposure times for the same lamp nominal output.

For large rooms and general disinfection, a typical embodiment of thepresent invention is preferably positioned with the UV emitter at adistance of 10 feet from the target area, which could be covered by theUV beam up to a height of 10 feet in these circumstances; shorterdistances are more effective, requiring a lower irradiation time forsmaller target areas.

The table below displays experimental results that show a markeddecrease of the required disinfection time with an increase of thepulsing frequency for the xenon UV discharge lamp of the presentinvention. Higher frequency significantly reduces the disinfection time;at 50 Hz (not shown in the table), the disinfection time is in the rangeof tens of seconds, rather than minutes.

Frequency Disinfection time (min) Disinfection Efficiency  5 Hz 1099.99% 10 Hz 5 99.98% 20 Hz 3 99.99% 30 Hz 2 99.99%

The table below displays further experimental results showingdisinfection efficiency, for UV treatment of MRSA and B. Subtilis withthe present invention, to remain higher than 99%, even with reducedexposure times.

Time (in seconds) MRSA Efficiency B. Subtilis Efficiency 70 99.95%97.83% 80 99.98% 99.92% 90 99.99% 99.99%

Especially when combined with a reduction in the distance between the UVemitter and the target area, the disinfection times can be reducedtremendously and still achieve satisfactory disinfection efficiency, asituation which is uniquely suited for the disinfection of high-touchsurfaces in hospital rooms. When placed at a distance of 1 meter fromthe target area, the present invention achieved a disinfectionefficiency of over 99% with very short exposure times, i.e., as littleas 10 seconds. This very short disinfection cycle time is unparalleledin the prior art, and allows faster and more efficient disinfection ofentire hospital rooms by disinfection of multiple small high-touchsurfaces in a rapid succession of cycles using focused UV beams, ratherthan one very long cycle of disinfecting the entire room with a360-degree UV beam.

Experimental results reported in the table below indicate thedisinfection efficacy of the present invention on various pathogens andthe dramatic reduction in disinfection time when the distance betweenthe unit 10 and the target surface is reduced from 10 feet to 5 feet.Indeed with respect to all species tested, the time required for 100%efficiency was reduced by at least one half.

Time Distance Frequency Power Species (s) (ft) Efficiency (Hz) (J) B.Subtilis (1) 60 10  85.10% 25-35 30-150 B. Subtilis 120 10  99.01% 25-3530-150 B. Subtilis 180 10 100.00% 25-35 30-150 B. Subtilis 30 5 100.00%25-35 30-150 B. Subtilis 60 5 100.00% 25-35 30-150 B. Subtilis 120 5100.00% 25-35 30-150 MRSA (2) 60 10  99.88% 25-35 30-150 MRSA 120 10100.00% 25-35 30-150 MRSA 180 10 100.00% 25-35 30-150 MRSA 30 5 100.00%25-35 30-150 MRSA 60 5 100.00% 25-35 30-150 MRSA 120 5 100.00% 25-3530-150 VRE (3) 60 10  74.94% 25-35 30-150 VRE 120 10  95.77% 25-3530-150 VRE 180 10 100.00% 25-35 30-150 VRE 30 5 100.00% 25-35 30-150 VRE60 5 100.00% 25-35 30-150 VRE 120 5 100.00% 25-35 30-150 c. Diff (4) 6010  98.50% 25-35 30-150 c. Diff 120 10 100.00% 25-35 30-150 c. Diff 18010 100.00% 25-35 30-150 c. Diff 30 5  98.50% 25-35 30-150 c. Diff 45 5100.00% 25-35 30-150 c. Diff 50 5 100.00% 25-35 30-150 SpeciesReferences: (1) B. Subtilis = Bacillus subtilis (2) MRSA =Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (3) VRE =Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (4) c. Diff. = Clostridium difficile

Door Card Safety Device

Also, the present invention described herein includes a device andsystem for ensuring safe operation of the UV disinfection unit 10, bypreventing humans from being exposed to UV radiation. Embodiments mayinclude the door card 80 being a battery-powered small safety device,meant to be attached to the door of the room being disinfected, byhanging on the doorknob or by any other means, e.g., placing, leaning,etc. Various sensors can be embedded within the door card, e.g., motionsensor, acceleration sensor, shock sensor, IR proximity sensor, photosensor, etc., to sense or detect movement in the proximity of the doorcard.

When placed by the door of the room being disinfected, the door card 80communicates wirelessly with the central control unit 60. Duringoperation, the door card 80 continuously monitors its sensor or sensorsfor the detection of any movement of the door or proximate the door.

When the unit 10 is operating inside a room, safety requirements mandatethat no person could be in that room and the access door to that roommust be closed securely. Any movement of an access door couldpotentially signify that a person is inadvertently attempting to enterthe room when it is unsafe to do so; in such a situation, the germicidallamps such as the xenon UV lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106, the third UVlamp 204, and the removable UV lamps must be turned off immediately.

When movement (or vibration, shock, etc.) is detected above a setthreshold on or around a door, the door card 80 transmits a wirelesssignal which causes the control unit 60 to immediately shut off thegermicidal lamps such as the xenon UV lamp 30, the second UV lamp 106,the third UV lamp 204, and the removable UV lamps. After such anemergency shutdown, the UV disinfection operation can only be restartedafter the UV disinfection unit 10 and the door card 80 are reset by theoperator, and only if the door motion detection state reverts back tonormal (no door movement detected).

In a typical embodiment, the door card 80 is powered by a rechargeablebattery, has a physical ON/OFF button, is fitted with wireless RFcommunication, has a 6-axis gyro sensor, and is controlled by anembedded microcontroller chip.

A typical mode of operation for the door card 80 is as follows:

The operator presses the ON/OFF switch, which turns on themicrocontroller and central control unit communication;

the microcontroller searches for a hub such as the hub 56 andestablishes communication with the central control unit 60;

the microcontroller calibrates itself depending on the position andalignment it currently is (such calibration may take about 20 seconds);

a certain threshold value for the acceleration is programmed within themicrocontroller (but it could be changed/reprogrammed with specialsoftware);

once calibrated, the microcontroller starts to calculate acceleration inX, Y, Z directions and averages them to establish an overallacceleration;

the microcontroller continuously compares this acceleration to athreshold value; as long as this calculated acceleration is below thethreshold, the microcontroller sends signals to the central control unit60 indicating normal status;

when the measured acceleration increases above the threshold value forthe first time, the microcontroller starts to monitor further readingsto rule out a false alarm;

if the readings are above threshold continuously for a set amount oftime, the microcontroller categorizes them as movement and sends a “doormovement” signal to the central control unit 60 (which triggers aninstant shut down of the germicidal lamps such as the xenon lamp 30, thesecond UV lamp 106, the third UV lamp 204, and the removable UV lamps).

once conditions go return to normal (door not moving), themicrocontroller sends “normal” signals to the central control unit 60.

Thus, it will be seen that there is provided a targeted surfacedisinfection system with pulsed UV light which achieves the variousaspects, features and considerations of the present invention and whichis well suited to meet the conditions of practical usage.

In the Figures of this application. In some instances, a plurality ofelements may be shown as illustrative of a particular element, and asingle element may be shown as illustrative of a plurality of aparticular elements. Showing a plurality of a particular element is notintended to imply that a system or method implemented in accordance withthe invention must comprise more than one of that element or step, noris it intended by illustrating a single element that the invention islimited to embodiments having only a single one of that respectiveelement. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the numbers of aparticular element shown in a drawing can, in at least some instances,be selected to accommodate the particular user needs.

The particular combinations of elements and features in theabove-detailed embodiment are exemplary only the interchanging andsubstitution of these teachings with other teachings in this and theincorporated-by-reference patents and applications are also expresslycontemplated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, variations,modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein canoccur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from thespirit and the scope of the present invention.

Further, in describing the invention and in illustrating embodiments ofthe invention in the figures, specific terminology, numbers, dimensions,materials, etc., are used for the sake of clarity. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the specific terms, numbers, dimensions,materials, etc. so selected, and each specific term, number, dimension,material, etc., at least includes all technical and functionalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similarpurpose. Use of a given word, phrase, number, dimension, material,language terminology, product brand, etc. is intended to include allgrammatical, literal, scientific, technical, and functional equivalents.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and notlimitation.

All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

Having described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will nowbecome apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that otherembodiments incorporating their concepts may be used. Moreover, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiment of theinvention described herein can be modified to accommodate and/or complywith changes and improvements in the applicable technology and standardsreferred to herein. For example, the technology can be implemented inmany other, different, forms, and in many different environments, andthe technology disclosed herein can be used in combination with othertechnologies. Variations, modifications, and other implementations ofwhat is described herein can occur to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

The particular combinations of elements and features in theabove-detailed embodiments are exemplary only the interchanging andsubstitution of these teachings with other teachings in this and thereferenced patents/applications are also expressly contemplated. Asthose skilled in the art will recognize, variations, modifications, andother implementations of what is described herein can occur to those ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by wayof example only and is not intended as limiting.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent:
 1. A targeted surface disinfectionsystem comprising at least one UV lamp, a high voltage power supply fordriving the at least one UV lamp and a pulse configuration control unitfor configuring the output of the high voltage power supply, the pulseconfiguration control unit being programmed for driving the at least oneUV lamp to emit radiant energy upon a target surface requiringdisinfection, the targeted surface disinfection system further includingan airflow device remote from the at least one UV lamp, the airflowdevice being configured for creating negative air pressure proximate theat least one UV lamp and an air channeling device extending fromproximate the at least one UV lamp to an exhaust remote from the atleast one UV lamp.
 2. The targeted surface disinfection system inaccordance with claim 1 the targeted surface disinfection system furthercomprising a cabinet and the exhaust comprising a vent opening in thecabinet.
 3. The targeted surface disinfection system in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the airflow device comprises a vacuum pump and the airchanneling device comprises a suction hose.
 4. The targeted surfacedisinfection system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising aplurality of UV lamps, the high voltage power supply driving theplurality of UV lamps, the pulse configuration control unit beingprogrammed for driving the plurality of UV lamps to emit a combinedoutput of at least 30 joules of UV radiant energy per pulse.
 5. Thetargeted surface disinfection system in accordance with claim 4 whereinthe pulse configuration control unit is programmed for simultaneouslydriving the plurality of UV lamps at a frequency range of between 20 Hzand 50 Hz.
 6. The targeted surface disinfection system in accordancewith claim 1 further comprising a plurality of UV lamps, the pulseconfiguration control unit being programmed for driving the plurality ofUV lamps at a combined frequency of at least 20 Hz.
 7. The targetedsurface disinfection system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the pulseconfiguration control unit is programmed for driving at least two of theplurality of UV lamps at different frequencies.
 8. The targeted surfacedisinfection system in accordance with claim 1 the targeted surfacedisinfection system further comprising a head assembly, the at least oneUV lamp being mounted within the head assembly.
 9. The targeted surfacedisinfection system in accordance with claim 1, the pulse configurationcontrol unit being programmed for driving the at least one UV lamp toemit at between 30 and 150 joules of UV radiant energy per pulse. 10.The targeted surface disinfection system in accordance with claim 1, thepulse configuration control unit being programmed for driving the atleast one UV lamp to emit a predefined amount of radiant energy fordisinfecting the target surface from a distance of at least 10 feet. 11.The targeted surface disinfection system in accordance with claim 1, thepulse configuration control unit being programmed for driving the atleast one UV lamp to emit a predefined amount of radiant energy for atleast 30 seconds.
 12. The targeted surface disinfection system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the high voltage power supply and thepulse configuration control unit are positioned on a mobile carriage,the targeted surface disinfection system further including at least onefloor mobility device connected to the mobile carriage for navigatingthe targeted surface disinfection system.
 13. The targeted surfacedisinfection system in accordance with claim 1, further including acabinet, the cabinet including a recess for selectively receiving the atleast one UV lamp.
 14. A targeted surface disinfection system comprisinga plurality of UV lamps, a high voltage power supply for driving theplurality of UV lamps and a pulse configuration control unit forconfiguring the output of the high voltage power supply, the pulseconfiguration control unit being programmed for driving the plurality ofUV lamps to emit radiant energy upon a target surface requiringdisinfection at a combined frequency of at least 20 Hz.
 15. The targetedsurface disinfection system in accordance with claim 14 wherein thepulse configuration control unit is programmed for driving at least twoof the plurality of UV lamps at different frequencies.
 16. A targetedsurface disinfection system comprising a plurality of UV lamps, a highvoltage power supply for driving the plurality of UV lamps and a pulseconfiguration control unit for configuring the output of the highvoltage power supply, the pulse configuration control unit beingprogrammed for simultaneously driving the plurality of UV lamps to emitradiant energy upon a targeted surface requiring disinfection at afrequency of at least 20 Hz.
 17. The targeted surface disinfectionsystem of claim 1, further comprising a chassis, the chassis carrying acentral control unit configured for being remotely controlled to operatethe targeted surface disinfection system.
 18. The targeted surfacedisinfection system of claim 17, further including a door card and atleast one sensor, the door card in communication with the at least onesensor, the door card being configured to detect motion proximate to aroom where the target surface disinfection system is in operation, thedoor card including a microcontroller in monitoring communication withthe at least one sensor and in wireless communication with the centralcontrol unit, wherein the microcontroller is configured to transmit ashut down signal to the central control unit based on the at least onesensor detecting motion proximate to the room.
 19. The targeted surfacedisinfection system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the pulseconfiguration control unit is programmed for driving each one of theplurality of UV lamps to emit radiant energy upon a target surfacerequiring disinfection at a combined frequency within a range of between20 Hz and 50 Hz.
 20. A targeted surface disinfection system comprisingat least one UV lamp, a high voltage power supply for driving the atleast one UV lamp and a pulse configuration control unit for configuringthe output of the high voltage power supply, the at least one UV lamp,the high voltage power supply and the pulse configuration control unitbeing positioned on a motorized mobile carriage, the pulse configurationcontrol unit being programmed for driving the at least one UV lamp toemit between 30 and 150 joules of UV radiant energy upon a targetsurface requiring disinfection, the targeted surface disinfection systemfurther comprising at least one lamp assembly and a chassis, the chassiscarrying the high voltage power supply and the pulse configurationcontrol unit, UV radiant energy from the at least one UV lamp beingemitted upon the targeted surface, the at least one lamp assemblyincluding a video camera and the chassis including a hub and a centralcontrol unit programmed for remote control of the operation of thetargeted surface disinfection system after placement within a roomhaving one or more targeted surfaces requiring disinfection.